Per Mertesacker is entrusted with the job of collecting fines from Arsenal players in breach of club discipline but the German may find himself going cap in hand to manager Arsene Wenger for his place in the team.

Former England striker Crouch played under Redknapp at Southampton, Portsmouth and Tottenham and he was linked with a move to QPR in January.

“Crouch is always a danger,” said Redknapp. “He is a good player, a great lad and a QPR fan. He will be a threat. We will be prepared for him.”

QPR are 10 points from safety with just five games remaining and Redknapp said: “If relegation happens, we have got to re-group and come back stronger. But we are not giving up yet, we have still got a chance.”